Security television simulator

Abstract

Method and apparatus for simulating an operating television for the purpose of deterring potential intruders by providing the appearance that one or more occupants are at home. Realistic simulation of a television is accomplished via perceived random combinations, amplitudes, colors, and durations of television program scene modes, these scene modes comprised of fades, swells, flicks, and static periods. Efficient, reliable, and inexpensive super-bright LEDs serve as light sources.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not Applicable.SEQUENCE LISTING[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND [0003]1. Field of Invention[0004]This invention relates to security devices, and specifically to security devices that mislead potential intruders into thinking that there are occupants at home.[0005]2. Description of Prior Art[0006]Home security is an ongoing concern for nearly everybody. As long as there are people who have homes containing possessions, there are others who would, provided the opportunity, break into those homes to steal those possessions. Alarm systems are available that attempt detection of intruders and, in response, alert the homeowner, a hired security company, or neighbors. However, as long as the intruder believes he has time where he won't be disturbed, he is often able to disable or circumvent the alarm system. In any case, damage can occur before an alarm is sounded.[0007]A better defense against intruders is to deter them from considering entry in ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0018]a) to provide a method for simulating a television image that is realistic,

[0019]b) to provide such a television simulator t

Problems solved by technology

In any case, damage can occur before an alarm is sounded.

Not everybody can nor wants to own a dog, though.

Also, it is often not feasible to leave a dog alone during extended trips.

This patent suffers the failing that the intended simulation of human presence falls woefully short of actual realism.

Although the invention attempts to incorporate a certain degree of randomness to the speed of the parade of shadows, the fact that they always move in one direction, and that their shapes remain fixed and inanimate, leave the result to fall far short of a convincing simulation of human movements.

Additionally, although the rate of rotation of the generating mechanism is not constant, the shadow patterns still repeat every few minutes, thus betraying the artificial source.

Some people do indeed leave a visible television on while out for an evening, but this is rarely considered practical for extended absences.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,947 describes a home security device for simulating a television, however, this method lacks substantial ability to convincingly mimic a modern television for multiple reasons.

Even if the flasher device were somehow made to switch on and off in a random manner, this still would not fairly simulate an actual television in operation since a typical television image consists of complex patterns as scenes fade, swell, abruptly change, or slowly transition as the camera pans, resulting in images that thusly fade, swell, flick, and remain nearly steady for varying periods of time.

Finally, the patent describes an incandescent bulb which is wasteful of energy and could bum out when operated over extended periods of absence.

Images